We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Pedestrian Mall?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,697
Share

A pedestrian mall is a downtown city shopping area blocked from vehicle traffic, but open to foot traffic. Most pedestrian malls are two to four blocks long. A pedestrian overpass may or may not be included in an area designated as a car-free, pedestrians-only zone. Pedestrian malls can be found in many cities in the world.

In Germany, a pedestrian mall is called a fussgangerzone. Frankfort, Germany, is home to one of the most popular German pedestrian malls. It's located on a street called The Zeil and clothing shops, fruit stands, bakeries and eateries are found in this vehicle-free zone. In Shanghai, China, the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall is a big tourist attraction. The mall includes hotels, theaters, sculptures and a tour train for sightseers. The shops in the Nanjing Road mall are a mix of old and new as well as Chinese and Western. Fast-food chain restaurants blend with silk shops.

The first American city to have a pedestrian mall was Kalamazoo, Michigan. This led to Kalamazoo receiving the nickname "The Mall City." When the car-free Michigan shopping zone was first created in 1959, it was four blocks and remained that way until 1999 when it was reduced to two blocks to allow for more traffic in the area. The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia, features tree-lined sections and a red brick pedestrian walkway. Charlottesville's pedestrian mall is a blend of historic buildings, unique boutiques, theaters and open-air restaurants.

Typically, pedestrian malls get reduced in size over the years to allow for more traffic in a city's downtown core. Pedestrian safety in terms of vehicle traffic growth is a main concern of urban planning committees. A pedestrian mall may be temporarily closed while construction is occurring in the downtown area. Many successful pedestrian malls are near tourist attractions as well as offices. Malls with bars and clubs tend to draw a strong nightlife.

Success tips for pedestrian mall creation include choosing a location near subways, bus stops and car parking lots. Stores selling large items such as refrigerators and dining sets don't usually do as well in pedestrian malls. Shops such as clothing and art boutiques are popular pedestrian mall destinations, as are open-air cafes and restaurants.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-pedestrian-mall.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.